The Image staff muses on the culture of keeping up appearances

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Rumors that Riccardo Tisci will replace John Galliano at Dior, American Apparel's new troubles

March 9, 2011 | 9:08
am

Worry is growing in the fashion industry that the pressures are driving executives and creative talent to the brink. (Could Exhibit A be chief designer John Galliano's meltdown and firing from Dior?) [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Speaking of the Galliano scandal, a tweet Tuesday night from style.com editor and Harper's Bazaar writer Derek Blasberg that "Riccardo Tisci is CONFIRMED at Dior" has the Twitterverse in an uproar of rumors that Givenchy's Tisci will be Galliano's replacement. But there is also new speculation that it will be Alber Elbaz of Lanvin. Time will tell. [The Cut]

Troubles keep coming for Los Angeles-based American Apparel, which has been struggling to stay afloat amid slumping sales and financial woes. My colleague Andrea Chang reports that chairman and chief executive Dov Charney is the subject of a lawsuit filed by a former sales employee who accuses him of holding her captive and forcing her to perform sexual acts starting soon after she turned 18 years old. The lawsuit, filed in New York, seeks $250 million in damages. It accuses Charney of sexual harassment, retaliation, gender discrimination and creating a hostile workplace. Company spokesmen deny the claim, but also say they had started "confidential binding arbitration" with her before the lawsuit was filed. [Los Angeles Times]

Supermodel Claudia Schiffer unveiled her first apparel line during Paris Fashion Week, and says her days of strutting the runway are over for good. Vogue UK describes the clothes as a "sumptuous array" of gray, black, navy and oat-colored sweaters and cashmere dresses. [Vogue UK]

Kanye West has made the rounds of more fall-winter runway shows this season than many a supermodel. This amid rumors that he may plan to study fashion. [Telegraph]

Amy Winehouse released her second collection for sports brand Fred Perry. [Telegraph]

Topshop and David's Bridal join a growing number of retailers who are expanding into Canada. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Tennis champion Rafael Nadal has a new ad out for Armani jeans and Emporio Armani underwear, and, like the others he's done, it is as smoking hot as a grand-slam serve. [Los Angeles Times]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: John Galliano, center, shown shortly before he checked into rehab after issuing an apology for anti-Semitic comments that got him fired from Dior. Credit: Ian Langsdon / Getty Images